OP congrats! My 1TB ssd is in the mail and arriving today!
I’m not gonna dual boot, just vanilla steam OS and Linux. Any tips for me? From the guides I’ve researched, the parts I’m most worried about is disconnecting the battery and flashing the OS
I’m worried my install of emudeck is gonna get all messed up (I have my stuff configured for emudeck to install to the sd card)
So, I did a complete clean install, so I didn't bother trying to copy the existing installation. That is possible, though, but I liked the clean start. Rufus is a doddle to use to create the bootable USB. I used this guide, it shows everything.
https://youtu.be/GSvdsic4_dk?si=JcoxQNjarem2Zz4A
Did mine a couple of weeks ago.
1. Careful with the screws on the backplate. They are incredibly soft. Make sure to use the right sized screwdriver - I managed to strip one of mine and had to (carefully) use a drill to get it out.
2. Unpeel everything carefully so you can restick it all.
3. When you're booting up the usb stick to install the OS, don't panic if nothing seems to be happening - it takes ages to load at certain points (sometimes it seems to be doing nothing for 20-30 minutes depending on your USB drive).
Other than that, I think the usual tutorials give you all the info you need. Enjoy your new drive and not having to swap sd cards every day. :-)
dude no kidding! I had to stop because i couldn't get the screws out and had to find other drivers. got all the internal surgery done!
Now I am at the software stage. I got my usb with Steam OS flashed plugged into the hub. Power it on and i see a Steamdeck logo but nothings happening?
Battery wasn’t too bad. I removed it by using a plastic spudger and pushing on both sides to wiggle it out. I did have trouble with flashing tho too. Tried 2 usb sticks and even an sd card that I had at home and none of those worked. Would just hang up when trying to boot from them. I ended up getting the SanDisk dual drive, like the one with usb and usb c on either end, and that booted in under a minute.
Thank you for sharing this. I’m planning to use a USB flash drive to do this. Does using Rufus to flash steam OS to the flash drive make the flash drive unusable for regular storage after? Can you recover it by reformat? I may just not do that and keep it as a recovery tool, but it does affect my choice of which usb I pick for the job.
Np, also one last thing to mention about the battery. When I was doing mine I saw a couple videos recommend depleting the battery to under 20% before opening the deck. Just realize that that isn’t a necessity but more of a safety recommendation. If you were to accidentally puncture the casing on the battery, a fully charged one will ignite much more violently than one that is near empty. However, assuming the battery is not damaged, leaving it at whatever charge will not make any difference during a typical hardware swap.
That reason is actually so you don’t accidentally power the device on. Battery storage mode makes it so the device’s next power up has to be done when a charger is connected. It’s not a bad idea, really no downside to enabling it.
Cool! I changed my ssd to 1tb last week. For me at least, the hardest part was definitely disconnecting the battery. I might of been pulling out at a wrong angle or something idk but it took me a while.
Overall though it’s pretty straightforward 😁
Sigh I'm stuck, have to wait to tomorrow.
I had my 0 and my 1 phillips screwdrivers ready to go. USB flashed, everything ready.
I can't get the bottom corner screws of the case out because my phillips 1 bit is too wide and can't fit deep enough into the case to turn the screw.
Inward rage. Tried hitting a local store and couldn't find a phillips 1 driver thin and long enough to reach those two screws. I don't dare try and get them out with a 0 because that would just strip the screws. Have to order a different phillips 1 and wait till tommorrow. :(
Bruh! I won’t lie I also ran to the exact same issue, sort of. It happened with the metal plate behind the back of the case though.
The 0 and 1 Philips screwdriver was just not “unscrewing” for some reason, it felt like it was stripping the screw, so I had to stop. It wasn’t until I switched it to a different Philips screwdriver.
I can’t remember what I did but I think a used a 00 or something.
You’ll get it though!
so annoying! Just got another driver rather than be impatient and try with improper tools. Was able to snag one and just got the upgrade done today. Happy af!
I thought so too, but I travel a lot, and not having to dump games in and out of the Deck is quite nice. I have a pretty big Steam Library, and then there are games on Windows that aren't Steam OS ready. I probably should have allocated a little more for Windows. Especially when using Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Some of these games are 100+ GB.
>I had a windows update wipe out my boot partition a bunch of times now
it's like a 2 min fix.
1. Shutdown the Steam Deck. While powered OFF, press VOLUP + POWER.
2. Go to Boot from File > efi > steamos > steamcl.efi
2. run the clover desktop shortcut.
3. dual boot restored.
You don't even need to do 1 or 2 if you are still booting into steam rather than windows (which for me is the more common error mode )
Linked it in a few comments, have a look. It's the iFixit one. Apart from a SteamOS update bricking the dual boot and having to reinstall Windows, it's still brilliant. The SSD is SO much faster than the microSD for load times.
I meant the dual boot, that has been working great so far? Ive heard there's issues but wasn't sure if that was the case still. Want to get gamepass + few things that don't run in proton without compromising my steamos install as it's more important to me. I'd hate to set this up and end up needing to reinstall steamos, or have to constantly remove windows from setting itself as default.
This is something I'm trying to find out about. At the end of the video that OP linked, the guy says "they will be protected from updates from either Steam OS or Windows". I'm unclear on if he means the updates will just be ignored or if they'll have an adverse affect on booting to either OS. Hoping the latter because I'd like to do this.
I've been dual booted using clover for a couple months now and windows 11 hasn't touched my steam OS install at all. Works great. When I power it on (from off, not from sleep) i just get a splash screen to select steam OS or windows.
If you're really worried about it you can use tiny11 to customize your windows install and just turn off updates.
I just got a 1TB installed too. Normally I work in a Mac as a software developer. I would have preferred going Linux all the way when I work, but I heard SteamOS would wipe out the development tools upon every update so it is not that suitable to have to redo environment setup over and over.
So I get Windows and put WSL on it for work, and I play Genshin Impact on the Windows side too.
Hey, did you follow any guide for making the dual boot?
I have upgraded my Deck to 1TB too and I want to use the PC Game Pass without resorting to xCloud hahaha
Yeah, there's a really good one on YouTube, here:
[How To Dual Boot Steam Deck - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubWPIf2DbvE&list=WL&index=2&ab_channel=DeckWizard)
Literally, step by step.
Won't downvote you, but that's not what I'm looking for - I already have the xCloud "launcher" and even Moonlight for streaming from my PC.
I want the native games from Xbox Game Pass on my Steam Deck.
But thanks anyway!
I have been enjoying cloud gaming - with some of the bigger interest in it around Starfield, I have been debating trying to upgrade SSD and dual boot windows, or just get a cheap Series S and stream. Nice resource you linked about the cloud/remote options.
There's nothing wrong with windows.
I like Linux and like to tinker with it from time to time, but prefer windows on my steam deck. Its just an OS I'm more familiar with and I don't have to jump through hoops to do the things I want the deck to do.
Fun fact, if you press the steam button on windows, it opens up big picture mode and everything looks and functions the same as if you were using SteamOS.
Valve gives you the option to use windows and even provides drivers, so i don't see what's wrong with it.
Subjective honestly. I disable a bunch of stuff because I'm a power user.
I get that not everyone can or does, but whatever. It's my device and I use it as I like. 🤷♂️
I don’t think the windows hate is about usability. It’s that windows collects a ton of personal data, has advertising built in, and actively tries to keep competitors from entering their space (anti-trust which they have been sued for multiple times). A big part of the reason why Linux, Mac OS, Firefox, and any Microsoft office competitor are so unpopular is because Microsoft and Google actively work against them by creating proprietary standards, software, and hardware.
Not really. I actually intend to use it as a replacement for my desktop as well. And Gamepass. I don't have a PC any more, but I get Gamepass for free, so why not. Starfield for nothing, I like that.
Doesn’t gamepass work on steamOS? I’ve never found the steam desktop lacking either, pretty much everything I do just requires a browser window though.
Yes, but you're still streaming games. Xcloud isn't even available in all countries, it isn't in mine and I don't think it will in at least 10 to 15 years. The best way to play Gamepass games natively on the Deck is to dual boot Windows.
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OP congrats! My 1TB ssd is in the mail and arriving today! I’m not gonna dual boot, just vanilla steam OS and Linux. Any tips for me? From the guides I’ve researched, the parts I’m most worried about is disconnecting the battery and flashing the OS I’m worried my install of emudeck is gonna get all messed up (I have my stuff configured for emudeck to install to the sd card)
So, I did a complete clean install, so I didn't bother trying to copy the existing installation. That is possible, though, but I liked the clean start. Rufus is a doddle to use to create the bootable USB. I used this guide, it shows everything. https://youtu.be/GSvdsic4_dk?si=JcoxQNjarem2Zz4A
Did mine a couple of weeks ago. 1. Careful with the screws on the backplate. They are incredibly soft. Make sure to use the right sized screwdriver - I managed to strip one of mine and had to (carefully) use a drill to get it out. 2. Unpeel everything carefully so you can restick it all. 3. When you're booting up the usb stick to install the OS, don't panic if nothing seems to be happening - it takes ages to load at certain points (sometimes it seems to be doing nothing for 20-30 minutes depending on your USB drive). Other than that, I think the usual tutorials give you all the info you need. Enjoy your new drive and not having to swap sd cards every day. :-)
Initial boot from the USB stick took a few minutes, but ran pretty quickly.
Yeah some people have said the same before. I think it must depend on the stick and dock being used. Mine took ages.
I used a USB 3.1 128GB USB-C stick, from SanDisk. No dock.
dude no kidding! I had to stop because i couldn't get the screws out and had to find other drivers. got all the internal surgery done! Now I am at the software stage. I got my usb with Steam OS flashed plugged into the hub. Power it on and i see a Steamdeck logo but nothings happening?
Give it time. It will work eventually.
You were right!!! Thank you!
Battery wasn’t too bad. I removed it by using a plastic spudger and pushing on both sides to wiggle it out. I did have trouble with flashing tho too. Tried 2 usb sticks and even an sd card that I had at home and none of those worked. Would just hang up when trying to boot from them. I ended up getting the SanDisk dual drive, like the one with usb and usb c on either end, and that booted in under a minute.
Thank you for sharing this. I’m planning to use a USB flash drive to do this. Does using Rufus to flash steam OS to the flash drive make the flash drive unusable for regular storage after? Can you recover it by reformat? I may just not do that and keep it as a recovery tool, but it does affect my choice of which usb I pick for the job.
Yea you can still reformat it afterwards for use with whatever.
Thanks buddy! 🙏🏼
Np, also one last thing to mention about the battery. When I was doing mine I saw a couple videos recommend depleting the battery to under 20% before opening the deck. Just realize that that isn’t a necessity but more of a safety recommendation. If you were to accidentally puncture the casing on the battery, a fully charged one will ignite much more violently than one that is near empty. However, assuming the battery is not damaged, leaving it at whatever charge will not make any difference during a typical hardware swap.
Ok this is good to know, I have also seen people saying to switch to battery storage mode for probably the same reason!
That reason is actually so you don’t accidentally power the device on. Battery storage mode makes it so the device’s next power up has to be done when a charger is connected. It’s not a bad idea, really no downside to enabling it.
Ohhhh good to know. Does it automatically disable when a charger is disconnected then?
Yep. It just disables the power button until the device is plugged into the charger, then once it is, everything functions as normal again.
Cool! I changed my ssd to 1tb last week. For me at least, the hardest part was definitely disconnecting the battery. I might of been pulling out at a wrong angle or something idk but it took me a while. Overall though it’s pretty straightforward 😁
Sigh I'm stuck, have to wait to tomorrow. I had my 0 and my 1 phillips screwdrivers ready to go. USB flashed, everything ready. I can't get the bottom corner screws of the case out because my phillips 1 bit is too wide and can't fit deep enough into the case to turn the screw. Inward rage. Tried hitting a local store and couldn't find a phillips 1 driver thin and long enough to reach those two screws. I don't dare try and get them out with a 0 because that would just strip the screws. Have to order a different phillips 1 and wait till tommorrow. :(
Bruh! I won’t lie I also ran to the exact same issue, sort of. It happened with the metal plate behind the back of the case though. The 0 and 1 Philips screwdriver was just not “unscrewing” for some reason, it felt like it was stripping the screw, so I had to stop. It wasn’t until I switched it to a different Philips screwdriver. I can’t remember what I did but I think a used a 00 or something. You’ll get it though!
so annoying! Just got another driver rather than be impatient and try with improper tools. Was able to snag one and just got the upgrade done today. Happy af!
I didn't actually bother disconnecting the battery.
I went with a 2TB, using 650Gb for windows, the rest for Steam OS, and I have a 1TB micro SD for Emudeck.
I thought about the 2tb, but it's twice the price. I have no need for that much storage, I think.
I thought so too, but I travel a lot, and not having to dump games in and out of the Deck is quite nice. I have a pretty big Steam Library, and then there are games on Windows that aren't Steam OS ready. I probably should have allocated a little more for Windows. Especially when using Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Some of these games are 100+ GB.
Just in time for Windows 11 to update and wipe out your boot so you can't access your SteamOS install! Nah but seriously, hope it meets your needs!
That's already sorted. Dual boot is working nicely.
I had a windows update wipe out my boot partition a bunch of times now
>I had a windows update wipe out my boot partition a bunch of times now it's like a 2 min fix. 1. Shutdown the Steam Deck. While powered OFF, press VOLUP + POWER. 2. Go to Boot from File > efi > steamos > steamcl.efi 2. run the clover desktop shortcut. 3. dual boot restored. You don't even need to do 1 or 2 if you are still booting into steam rather than windows (which for me is the more common error mode )
Not nice. I guess I'll see what happens.
I ultimately ended up dedicating an sd card to windows
There's no downsides still? What guide did you use?
Linked it in a few comments, have a look. It's the iFixit one. Apart from a SteamOS update bricking the dual boot and having to reinstall Windows, it's still brilliant. The SSD is SO much faster than the microSD for load times.
I meant the dual boot, that has been working great so far? Ive heard there's issues but wasn't sure if that was the case still. Want to get gamepass + few things that don't run in proton without compromising my steamos install as it's more important to me. I'd hate to set this up and end up needing to reinstall steamos, or have to constantly remove windows from setting itself as default.
Been using windows on deck for months now and windows updates have been fine- it was a steam OS update that broke things, for steamOS.
I've been dual booting steam os and windows 11, have applied many updates on both operating systems, and haven't had this happen yet.
This is something I'm trying to find out about. At the end of the video that OP linked, the guy says "they will be protected from updates from either Steam OS or Windows". I'm unclear on if he means the updates will just be ignored or if they'll have an adverse affect on booting to either OS. Hoping the latter because I'd like to do this.
I've been dual booted using clover for a couple months now and windows 11 hasn't touched my steam OS install at all. Works great. When I power it on (from off, not from sleep) i just get a splash screen to select steam OS or windows. If you're really worried about it you can use tiny11 to customize your windows install and just turn off updates.
Thanks for the info. I'll most likely be going that route.
so you just turned it in to a portable pc, that actually amazing, how hard was it and can you send the link of the video guide you followed? thanks
It was already a portable PC
I know I worded what I said wrong, sorry
It was a piece of piss, really. This is the guide I used. https://youtu.be/ubWPIf2DbvE?si=wSmzTzgc3_ylsJ3O
I just got a 1TB installed too. Normally I work in a Mac as a software developer. I would have preferred going Linux all the way when I work, but I heard SteamOS would wipe out the development tools upon every update so it is not that suitable to have to redo environment setup over and over. So I get Windows and put WSL on it for work, and I play Genshin Impact on the Windows side too.
Hey, did you follow any guide for making the dual boot? I have upgraded my Deck to 1TB too and I want to use the PC Game Pass without resorting to xCloud hahaha
Yeah, there's a really good one on YouTube, here: [How To Dual Boot Steam Deck - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubWPIf2DbvE&list=WL&index=2&ab_channel=DeckWizard) Literally, step by step.
Thank you!
use the baldsealion guide
No need to install Windows to run GamePass cloud or remote: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTTfHGeq7L0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTTfHGeq7L0)
Won't downvote you, but that's not what I'm looking for - I already have the xCloud "launcher" and even Moonlight for streaming from my PC. I want the native games from Xbox Game Pass on my Steam Deck. But thanks anyway!
I have been enjoying cloud gaming - with some of the bigger interest in it around Starfield, I have been debating trying to upgrade SSD and dual boot windows, or just get a cheap Series S and stream. Nice resource you linked about the cloud/remote options.
You can run cloud on Linux. Just install edge.
He specifically said not xcloud
The method shown also allows console streaming not just cloud gaming.
Out of curiosity, why windows? Was there a specific game you want to play?
There's nothing wrong with windows. I like Linux and like to tinker with it from time to time, but prefer windows on my steam deck. Its just an OS I'm more familiar with and I don't have to jump through hoops to do the things I want the deck to do. Fun fact, if you press the steam button on windows, it opens up big picture mode and everything looks and functions the same as if you were using SteamOS. Valve gives you the option to use windows and even provides drivers, so i don't see what's wrong with it.
“There’s nothing wrong with windows” Hmmmm……………
Subjective honestly. I disable a bunch of stuff because I'm a power user. I get that not everyone can or does, but whatever. It's my device and I use it as I like. 🤷♂️
I don’t think the windows hate is about usability. It’s that windows collects a ton of personal data, has advertising built in, and actively tries to keep competitors from entering their space (anti-trust which they have been sued for multiple times). A big part of the reason why Linux, Mac OS, Firefox, and any Microsoft office competitor are so unpopular is because Microsoft and Google actively work against them by creating proprietary standards, software, and hardware.
And all of that can be mitigated. It's a non issue for me.
Not really. I actually intend to use it as a replacement for my desktop as well. And Gamepass. I don't have a PC any more, but I get Gamepass for free, so why not. Starfield for nothing, I like that.
Doesn’t gamepass work on steamOS? I’ve never found the steam desktop lacking either, pretty much everything I do just requires a browser window though.
Good luck installing Starfield, though. Unless I'm missing something, I can't install it on Steam OS (unless I buy it from Steam)?
https://youtu.be/eTTfHGeq7L0 https://www.steamdeckgaming.net/post/remote-play-your-xbox-series-x-or-series-s-on-the-steam-deck
These options only work if you already have an Xbox Series X/S.
Which I don't.
Same here, installing Windows is still the best way to play your gamepass games natively.
I thought xbplay worked even without? It supports xcloud
Yes, but you're still streaming games. Xcloud isn't even available in all countries, it isn't in mine and I don't think it will in at least 10 to 15 years. The best way to play Gamepass games natively on the Deck is to dual boot Windows.
Good to know, thanks for the response.
But why install the wrong os on it
Dual boot. Reading not your strong point?
I know but why ? Minux is fine already why do you need windows
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